CWNews
New Hampshire Senate Approves Taxes on Cigarillos
NH Senate votes to tax cigar-like cigarettes
DATELINE: CONCORD N.H.
May 15, 2008 Thursday 11:23 PM GMT
The New Hampshire Senate has voted to tax cigarettes masquerading as little cigars.
The Senate voted 13-11 Thursday to change the definition of a cigarette to capture smokes being packaged as cigars. Cigars aren't subject to the state's $1.08 per pack cigarette tax.
The bill defines a cigarette by the materials used to make it and by its weight.
Supporters said the state is losing money from sales of the fake cigars. But Senate Republican Leader Ted Gatsas said the change imposes an unfair cost onto wholesalers who put the tax stamps on the packages. He said they will need new equipment to affix the stamps.
The House next considers the bill.
